Shingles is a common viral infection that is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Like chickenpox, shingles causes a painful rash to appear on the skin. If you had chickenpox as a child, you have a higher risk of developing shingles as an adult. Shingles normally affects people over 50, but it can affect anyone.

The chickenpox virus lies dormant in your nerves after it subsides. It can reawaken later in life as the shingles virus. When the virus reactivates, the infected nerves, and the skin the nerves go to, become inflamed, causing a burning or stabbing pain. A few days later, when the virus reaches the skin, a rash of blisters appears. The skin may be very sensitive, unable to tolerate even the lightest touch.

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Many people associate discomfort, pain and fatigue with shingles. While it’s true that most, if not all, symptoms of shingles are uncomfortable, is it safe to say that shingles always cause pain?

The answer to this question is relative and largely based on the infected person’s tolerance for pain. Analyzing the symptoms of shingles and how most people respond to them can help us accurately assess whether shingles are always painful.

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People in good health should receive a flu vaccination each year so that they are protected against illness during the flu season, which typically starts in October and ends in the spring. No matter what the size of your company, now is the time to start thinking about holding a workplace flu shot program in order to guarantee the health of your employees later on in the year. However, organizing an on-site flu clinic might seem a bit daunting and you may have concerns about how to maximize the number of vaccinations while not affecting the operation of your business. Thankfully, the process is much easier than you might expect! Here are some tips on how to make your flu shot program a success.

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The case of Typhoid Mary sparked a public health debate in early 1900s New York, and her legacy continues to be discussed to this day. March marks the 100th anniversary of Mary Mallon, an Irish cook who inadvertently infected multiple people with typhoid fever and was later placed in isolated quarantine for over 20 years of her life.

Typhoid fever is caused by a strain of Salmonella bacteria, resulting in high fever, abdominal pain and loss of appetite. Mary was a carrier of typhoid, meaning she appeared healthy but continued to carry the bacteria in her body. Her story is unique because it brought to light the conflicting priorities of public health policies and individual freedom. During that time, typhoid had no cure and was sometimes fatal. Mary is thought to have caused over seven outbreaks, 50 infections and three fatalities over a period of 15 years.  What can we learn from her case?  read on to find out!

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Cholera, a bacterial disease usually spread by food or water, can be fatal if not treated right away.

The disease initially causes intestinal distress and dehydration. Cholera is a fast-acting disease that can turn deadly within hours. Poor sanitation and unclean water systems create a breeding ground for cholera in developing countries. Areas like Yemen and Haiti have ongoing cholera outbreaks that have spread to millions.

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